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Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge


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National Park Contact Information
Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge
2700 Refuge Headquarters Road
Decatur, 35603






National Park Overview
Watercress Darter NWR, - Bessemer, Jefferson County -labama, was established by the Service in 1980 to provide protection for the endangered watercress darter. Although the Refuge is only about 23 acres of ponds, mixed pine-hardwood forest and a residence, it contains Thomas Spring, the original quarter acre pond where the species was described. A second pond was constructed on the Refuge in 1983 to provide additional darter habitat. The Refuge is unstaffed and administered by Wheeler NWR.

The watercress darter is a small, very colorful fish measuring up to 2.5 inches in length. The fish is currently found in only four sites in the upper Black Warrior River drainage - Birmingham -labama. They are found only at mid-depths in dense accumulations of aquatic vegetation including watercress, in springs and spring runs. Green sunfish, bluegills and sculpins are known to prey on watercress darters. The darters feed on snails, crustaceans and insect larvae that inhabit springs and spring runs.




More Info

The mission of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, working with others, is to conserve, protect and
Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge Dwight Cooley Refuge Manager 2700 Refuge Headquarters

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of the BAS volunteer as monitors of the Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge is a satellite of the
at the Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge in Bessemer -labama

conservation efforts will be ongoing. Birmingham Audubon is the ?refuge keeper? of the Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge in Bessemer, one of the smallest refuges in the system. The BAS

Refuge 2700 Refuge Headquarters Rd. Decatur -L 35603 (256) 353-7243 Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge 2700 Refuge Headquarters Rd. Decatur -L 35603 (256) 353-7243 Wheeler National

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1700 Birmingham -L 35203-2387 Phone (205) 325-5342 Fax (205) 325-5690 Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge 2700 Refuge Headquarters Road Decatur -L 35603 (256) 353-7243 FAX (256) 340

Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge